#GetGoodSummer... It's finished!

Well... we did it! To whatever degree you achieved your goals, you've probably achieved more than you would have done if you hadn't set them... so today is definitely a day for a celebration! I hope you've enjoyed linking up this summer and have a sense of achievement, even if you didn't quite tick everything off on your list.

And for those of you who did? Standing ovation! Well done! I stand defeated and in awe... but happy with my little lot none the less!

So, here's how I did this summer!

GOAL ONE: MAKE A PHOTO WALL...

I did it! I still have to complete one last frame. The oval dark wood one at the bottom; I need to paint it white/cream, and make a scrapbook letter to go in the frame for our surname initial. Other than that, the frames are up, the photos are in them, and our bedroom feels so much more cosy and homely. It's a project I've planned to do since we moved in over four years ago, so it feels so good to have finally done it! :D PHEW!!

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GOAL TWO: MAKE AN ITEM OF CLOTHES FOR THE GIRLS...

Epic fail! The material is cut and ready to go, but I have yet to whip out my sewing machine and stitch them all together. I will do it, just not within the time frame I'd hoped. There's no reason to not get on with it now that the normal routine is back, so watch out for a blog post in the near future!

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GOAL THREE: ORGANISE A 3RD BIRTHDAY SAFARI PARTY FOR AVA...

A brilliant success; my girly had a fabulous time and it seems everyone else did too. This week, we also tried our hand at making lion bread, so really, there's always an opportunity for a bit more safari love, even if the party's over!

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GOAL FOUR: HALF AN HOUR EXERCISE EVERY DAY...

This is one of those ones that I hit some days and not others. I'm not going to beat myself up about it. We've had a fabulous summer, been fairly active - swimming and walking - and now that Ava's heading off to pre-school, Heidi and I intend to do all our trekking around by bike. Plenty of exercise to be had in the Autumn!

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GOAL FIVE: USE THE LIBRARY...

I have loved reading through my library pile this summer. I still have a couple of books to go, but I figure five library books is pretty good going (I read five Kindle ones too, but they don't count!) Currently,  my library read is "The Little Village School" by Gervase Phinn and I'm really enjoying it. As an ex-teacher, it rings so true on so many levels, and is bringing a fair few chuckles. I'd recommend it on what I've read so far, but I'll keep you posted.

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So there you have it... that has been my #GetGoodSummer... I'm so excited to hear how you all got on, so please share your links below... and please make a special effort to go round an visit everyone this week! We need to give each other a huge round of applause...

And next week, I'll be back with my rest of year linky, "Savouring the Season"... an opportunity to share all your seasonal loves... we'll be saying goodbye to summer and welcoming autumn, so if you have any posts celebrating end of summer/autumnal recipes, trips out, nature, photography, crafts or reflections on your summer, please don't forget to stop back next Thursday and link up!

I'll look forward to seeing you there!

And thanks so much for joining me these past ten weeks... its been lovely to "meet" all your blogs and get to know you all a bit. I hope to still see you around!

Claire xx

Project Photo Wall: Get Good Summer Week Nine!

Oh dear... only one week to go! At least this week I have well and truly ticked off one, and almost two of my Get Good Summer goals...

So here's back to the original five...

1. Make a Photo Wall 
Well, this week, this...

has turned to this...

My photos are ready to be printed, and the frames are ready to hang. So this is one goal that should, hopefully, be completely completed by next week's deadline!

2. Make an item of clothing for the girls

Well, the dresses are cut and ready to sew, but I have yet to so them. I'm going to do my VERY best to get them sewn in time, wish me all the best!

3. Organise a 3rd Birthday Safari Party for Ava
We pulled this one of last Friday; I was up til 2am the night before preparing the final touches, but BOY was it worth it. Our little lady had a fabulous time and was thrilled with her Safari Party... I think her friends had a pretty good time too! You can see all the details here!

4. Half an hour exercise every day
OK... so I've had good weeks and bad weeks, and this week has been a bad week... HOWever, I have spent the entire week clearing and scrubbing and sorting... surely that counts as exercise?!

5. Use the library
I've now read four of my seven library book loans. I've loved discovering some new authors, and revisiting some old. Currently I'm enjoying The Little Village School by Gervase Phinn, and its taking me back to my teaching days, and providing a bit of a giggle at the same time.

So there you have it...
By next week, I need to print photos, hang frames, sew a dress and read 3 books... manageable?!

Better get cracking!

How are you all getting on?!

Link up below... next week is the Grand Finale! Eeeeeeek!

Get Good Summer: Week 8... It's Safari Party Time!

This week is a flurry of birthday activity in our house... we celebrated my 29th on Tuesday, and on Friday, Ava turns three... that means the long awaited Safari Party is finally here!

Tomorrow, a flock of little lions, zebras, crocodiles, gorillas and elephants will descend upon us for some Safari fun... there's an expedition planned, lots of Safari food and the constant danger of a Safari stampede...

I've really enjoyed this theme, and I can't wait to see my little ladies face when it's all revealed on Friday afternoon. Any excuse to get my creative juices flowing!

So here's a little sneak preview of the goal which will be completed by tomorrow evening. Hopefully Ava's Safari Party will have been a roaring success! ('scuse the pun!) and I can tick one of my #GetGoodSummer goals off completely!

How are things going with you all?!

Only two weeks to go! Eeeeek!

Share your progress in the linky below and don't forget to pop round the other blogs and give them some well-deserved encouragement!

#GetGoodSummer: Week Seven

Another week down and at least I can say there's one goal I am working my way through!

After a busy week last week, this week I've kick my feet up and had a nice relaxing one; I have gone for walks with my hub, sat by the fjord in the sunshine and worked my way through two of the books on my #GetGoodSummer library books list! Here's a little update if you're after some good books to read!

1. The Lucky One, Nicholas Sparks

During my late teens, I worked my way through a number of Sparks novels. A great storyteller, and always with a good twist, I thought it was time to pick up another... And this one didn't disappoint. Another great storyline, some great twists along the way, and some really likeable, and of course unlikeable, characters, The Lucky One tells the story of an ex-Marine who searches out a girl from a photograph he found while serving in Iraq and the twists and turns that follow their meeting. A real page turner.

2. Aprons and Silver Spoons, Mollie Morran

While I enjoyed the Sparks novel, I loved this one! If you're a fan of Downton Abbey, or period dramas of any description, you'll enjoy this one. It's the real-life Memoirs of Mollie Moran, a now 96 year old 1930s scullery maid. The book is full of wit and humour and fascinating storytelling and I absolutely devoured it! If you love a bit of living history told in a really fun and accessible way, then get this on your bookshelf!

   

So its been a productive week in a slightly more relaxing way. 

But I'm not going to complain about that, am I?!

How are you all getting on??

Get Good Summer: Week Six

You could argue its been a productive week... then again, you could argue its been the biggest failure of my #GetGoodSummer so far! This week I've read five books, made 12 metres of bunting, organised all the table decorations for a party of nearly 80 people and been in the fjord most days...

The only problem is, I haven't met ANY of my goals! The five books were on my Kindle, not the pile of library books I'm supposed to be working through, I may have made 12 metres of bunting, but have not sewn a stitch on the girls' dresses, the decorations were not for Ava's Safari party, but for a family reunion taking place this weeken (more on that tomorrow!) and my fjord going has been purely paddling - not swimming!

Oops!

Still, I refuse to feel down about it... a productive week is a productive week!

Better next week, right?!

How are YOU all getting on?? I'm hoping better than me!

Link up below and leave a comment on all those taking part! (Apologies I have yet to do the rounds for last week... I have limited internet access here, but it will be done!)

Get Good Summer: Week Five!

Well, we're half way there people!! How are you getting on?!

We have had a lovely start to our holiday... and, with the exception of Sunday (the day of rest, don't you know! ;-p) I have been fjord swimming every day! It is utterly fabulous, and so much easier than last year as the weather has been beautiful. This year, so far, there has been no swimming in pouring rain or thunderstorms!

Because the weather has been so lovely, the girls have been joining us in the fjords. They have no fear of the ice-cold water, and I've been so impressed by how they just blast on in there! Heidi is always a little cautious at the start, but within minutes she's happy in fjord water up to her chin, swimming around and practicing kicking those little legs.

Perhaps we'll get Ava swimming by the end of our time here... who knows?!

As for me, its been fabulous to get right out into that wide, deep fjord, breath in the views and just keep swimming til the initial bite of the cold turns warm.

I have also cheated a little.

Last year, I braved the icey waters in a tankini and a t-shirt, this year, my lovely mother-in-law has lent me her wetsuit, so on the slightly chillier days I've been going out wearing that. I must admit, it makes that icey entrance a little less shivery! On the hotter days, I've been braving it in my swimsuit. There is just something lovely about icey-cold water when its boiling outside!!

Can you spot us?!

Other than that, I am well and truly relaxing... and having a wonderful time of it :D

Link up below and don't forget to stop round the others and leave a comment of encouragement!

Get Good Summer: Week Four

Hello to all you Get Good Summerers (is that a word?!)

I have been SO impressed by how amazingly committed you all have been to linking up here every week. Its so inspiring to see those of you who are powering on, and encouraging to see others have struggling weeks like me!!

As you read this, I will be jet-setting off to Norway with the fam for a month back to my in-laws. I am SO looking forward to spending time with my family, and relaxing a bit too. Here's hoping for good weather!

One of my aims in Norway was to spend my evenings making the little dresses for the girls, so this week, I got out the pattern and set to work cutting all the pieces, so that all I have to do when I get there is sew it all together!

I have to admit, I wasn't overly convinced by the fabric, but now its starting to take shape, I'm thinking my little ladies might actually look pretty cute in these little ensembles!

I bought this Burda pattern online a couple of years ago, and I've already made one little dress for Ava out of it. This year, my aim was to make a little outfit for both girls... sort of matching, but different as well... I'll be revealing all as the dresses start to come together!

So with that I'll love you and leave you as I taxi, fly, bus and sail my way to a beautiful little peninsula on the Sognefjord... want to join me for the ride? Check in every day and I'll be posting a single picture of what we're up to.

A little taste of Norway for you all to enjoy!

Over and out!

To take part in #GetGoodSummer, simply link your blog post with your summer goals and progress below, then pop over to a couple of other links and leave a word of encouragement! Other than that, I'll see you next week... we'll be half way!!!!!!

 

Get Good Summer: Week Three

If I'm totally honest, I can't believe we're on week three already. This week has gone in a flurry of activity... we have had one guest after the other and so I've been working hard and achieving lots... just sadly very little on my goals list.

So exercise hasn't happened, unless you count trekking round London all day, climbing numerous National Trust Hills or pushing child-laden buggies around theme parks. And reading hasn't happened, unless you count Museum boards, and information leaflets and blogs. And clothes-making hasn't happened... unless you count the countless times I've had to rescue clothes from grass-stains, tomato sauce and mud stains this week. And my photo wall isn't any further along... unless you count the countless moments I've captured on camera this week and which will possibly/probably end up on our wall!

One thing, however, has come together this week (phew!)

Ava's Safari Party invitations are DONE.

I wish that would mean I could sit back, put my feet up and count one goal off my list. But sadly not... there is still the small matter of the entire party to plan... and pull off.

But let's not dwell on that for now!

How have you got on this week?? Have you had a more successful #GetGoodSummer week than me? Share your progress in the linky or the comments section, and pop round a couple of others to say hello!

All the best for Week 4!

 

Get Good Summer: Week Two

Well I have been blown away by some of your #GetGoodSummer Week One attempts... If you're after some inspiration and motivation, Karen, Caroline and Louise had particularly productive weeks! If you didn't pop over and give them some comment love before, go and take a peep now!

A nasty bug hit me Monday night, throwing all my plans for a productive week 2 to the wind. Nevertheless, this week has not been fruitless... I have been material shopping, photo wall planning and reading away to my hearts content...

So here's where I'm at...

1. Make a Photo Wall
So I have sketched and planned, and researched and ummed and aahed and this is as far as I've got...

I have pretty much all my frames, I've decided on what's going in them and now, I've pretty much decided the layout. So this week, I'm all set to get to work...

Wish me luck!

2. Make an item of clothing for the girls
On Thursday, Heidi and I went fabric shopping... I hovered over countless fabrics and the poor child sat and watched her mother pick up about 15 rolls of fabric before actually deciding on anything. If I'm honest, I felt I was settling a bit in the end. There was nothing in my price range which totally grabbed me... so I went for this; but I'm hopeful that once I've put them together, the dresses will look pretty sweet. This week I'm hoping to cut the material ready to take to Norway with me; its one goal I'm planning on tackling while we're on holiday.

3. Organise a Safari 3rd birthday party
This week I have been ordering on Amazon... I have ordered zebra striped duct tape, safari balloons and green card for the invitations. I had hoped to make a start on them this week, but have been thrown off course by this bug. This ones my big aim for next week. Project Invitation is good to go!

4. Half an Hour Exercise every day
Nope. Fail. Utter fail. I was on the go all weekend and then laid up in bed on Monday. So this week I've cycled and done some stretching, but mostly I've just walked, walked, walked (including pushing heavy Phil and Ted's Buggy up National Trust Hill... yup - I felt it in my calves, thighs and just about every other muscle in my body!) I feel like I need some direction with this one... not quite sure where to go with it in the run up to Norway and my fjord swim plans!

5. Use the Library
So I am now over halfway through the Roald Dahl biography, and loving it as much as ever. WHY I started with the longest, biggest, heftiest book, I do not know... but at least it means it will be all downhill from here. In the meantime, I highly recommend it - its a fascinating read!

So there you have it! My #GetGoodSummer Week Two. Week Three, here I come!

Link up your #GetGoodSummer progress in the linky below, then pop over to the other entries and leave a comment... let's keep encouraging each other to Get Good this Summer! If you're new to the party, just link up your goals and we'll get cheering you on! Non-bloggers let us know in the comments!!

Here's to a fabulous week 3...  

Get Good Summer: Week One!

Well, week one has been and gone... And how did we all get on?! It's been so lovely seeing the buzz around #GetGoodSummer on the twitter feed and on Instagram and seeing how you're all getting on!

I for one have had a pretty good first week, though I feel like I don't have a lot to show for it!

My photo wall and children's clothes are the two goals that have yet remained untouched, although quite excitingly today I am heading into town to pick up some nice material, so at least I can get cracking on that one. And the photo wall is a project I know I'll enjoy, so I'm tempted to leave that for a bit until my enthusiasm for #GetGoodSummer is waning and I need a bit of a kick to get me going again!

So here goes... This is what I've been up to!

Organise a Safari 3rd Birthday Party for Ava

So I have been truly pin happy this week, and if you're a really keen bean and fancy a sneak preview into what I'm planning, then you can check out my Party Pinterest board here. I have been scouring Amazon for Safari balloons and animal duct tape, and have started collecting loo rolls (have I got you intrigued yet?!) Next week, project party invitation will be underway!

Half an hour exercise every day

OK... So I have done this... If you count power walking and cycling and barn dancing (seriously exhausting stuff) ... But my aim is to do a bit more proper exercise... Really, I want to fjord-swim again... There's nothing quite like wading into those icey waters for that feeling of adrenaline... And it's just so refreshing, and stunning and (never dreamt I'd say this last year...) fun? But I've still got to wait three weeks for that luxury, so in the meantime, I'm hoping week two will be slightly more successful in the exercise department!

Use the library 

I have started and I am loving it. I went back to the library this week and took one book back. I decided it just wasn't my cup of tea... If I'm honest, I find most creative play books pretty dull these days... They seem to come up with the same ideas all the time, and there's nothing I can't find on Pinterest for  free (there's a challenge for anyone looking to write a book!) But besides that I am thoroughly enjoying Roald Dahl's biography. I devoured his autobiography "Boy" in my early teens, and have read it year after year to my Year 6 classes who ALWAYS enjoy the mixture of fun and gore! But to read his biography is fascinating as it gives an insight into how others saw the creative genius that was Roald Dahl as well. I am loving the combination of creativity, good old storytelling, and Norway!

So there you have it. One week in, and I've begun to make a dent at least... Only nine weeks to go!

The question is, how are you all getting on?!

Link up below, or if you're not a blogger, just leave a comment, and then click on the other links and leave a message of encouragement and "Keep going, you can do it!" with them too.

It's all about the accountability and encouragement people!

Lets go #GetGoodSummer !

The time has come!

It's time for #GetGoodSummer people... and I have spent the last week umming and aahing and chopping and changing my goals! Decisions! Decisions!

For those of you new to the idea, here's the plan...

You take ten weeks... the last Thursday in June (that's today!) until the first Thursday in September, and you set yourself 5 goals... five things you'd like to achieve by the time the autumn rolls around. These things can be as varied and as unusual as you want... but they have to be realistic!

Then over the next 7 days, link up your #GetGoodSummer goals post to this linky (or in the comments section if you're not a blogger) and we'll touch in every week to see how we're getting on! We cheer each other on, share some comment love, steal each others ideas and inspiration, and generally have the most productive summer you've ever had...

So, after much deliberation... here are my #GetGoodSummer goals for 2014...

1. Make a photo wall
Our bedroom was the first room we decorated when we moved to this house... it was done and dusted within 5 days of the move and it was our one haven in the chaos that was our house renovation. For that reason, it was done pretty quickly, and we didn't faff around with the details... you know, the little touches that make it homey and lovely and yours.

For that reason, a photo wall behind our headboard in our bedroom has been on my to-do-list since we moved in, and my beautiful assistant was on hand today to show you the "before" pictures. My aim is, that come September, this wall will be a creative little celebration of our family.

2. Make an item of clothing for the girls
I had this one on my list a couple of years ago, and it didn't happen, and then last year, in a flash of motivation, I threw together this little dress for Ava... it was an easy pattern and she has worn this little pinafore loads. This summer, I'd like to have a go at making the girls matching outfits... we're all about saving the pennies here, since I stepped out of work, and this is one fun, creative way we can do that!

3. Organise a Safari 3rd birthday party
OK... so we pulled off a pretty successful Rainbow themed party in March, so I was feeling fairly confident when I asked Ava what kind of party she would like for her 3rd birthday... until she answered "A Lion King Party"... oh help! So we've found a happy compromise, and I am going to spend the summer planning and pinning for Ava's Safari party. Lions galore... so watch out!

4. Half and hour exercise every day
This was my most successful goal last year... and one I intend to keep going. I always feel so much more motivated in the summer to get back in shape! Last year, I swam the Norwegian fjord almost every day we were in Norway - come rain or storm - and this year, I'd like to do it again! Throw in a bit of cycling and good old "Insanity" and I should be able to knock off that last bit of baby weight by September!

Braving the Norwegian fjord last summer!

5.  Use the Library
I am a big reader... and never more so than in the summer. I adore my Kindle, and it has been serving me very well with small babies and middle of the night feeds. But I'm out of that phase now (thank goodness) and there is just something nice about holding a real book in your hands...

... and a real free book? Now that's even better.

And so one of my goals this summer is to make the most of our local library. We use the library all the time for the girls, but I hadn't used it for a while, so figured it was about time to rediscover it... and this is what I came out with this week...

I can genuinely say I'm really excited about reading every one of these books! Better get cracking!

So there you go; every Thursday, for the next ten weeks, I will be updating you all on how I get along with my little goals... and I'd love to hear how you're doing with yours. So just blog an update and link it to the linky party below. The secret to success with goal-setting is accountability... and that's what we're all here for! To cheer you on, give you a pat on the back and generally shout encouraging things at you through the blogosphere!

So what are your goals? Share them below and then go an encourage some other bloggers by commenting on their posts too... and if you aren't a blogger... let us know your goals in the comments!

Now lets go and Get Good this Summer!

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It's time for #GetGoodSummer!

I sometimes think we should forget New Years Resolutions and skip straight to summer. Summertime makes me feel motivated... I can aim high in the summer, and I'll actually feel like doing it... but all too often, my summers have sped by in a haze and I've looked back and realised I've really achieved very little. And then #GetGoodSummer was started by a friend of mine, and for the last two summers I've been making resolutions as I head into July... the first year, we discovered I was pregnant two weeks in, and so all plans went to pot as I spent the summer with my head over a toilet.

But last year? Last year I had my most productive summer ever... and lots of you did too! So I'm really excited to be announcing that as of next week, #SavouringtheSeason will be closing down until the autumn, and Thursday's will become #GetGoodSummer day again!!! I'm hoping lots of you from last year will come back, and we'll have some new entrants as well!!

 

So here's how it works!

You take ten weeks... the last Thursday in June until the first Thursday in September, and you set yourself 5 goals... five things you'd like to achieve by the time the autumn rolls around. These things can be as varied and as unusual as you want... but they have to be specific, measurable and realistic.

Last year, the participants that linked up here were language-learning, decorating, weight-losing, clutter-clearing, marathon-training, lemonade-making, baking, scrapbooking, clothes-making, vegetable-patch planting, adventure-finding and fjord-swimming (yup... that last one was me!) amongst many other things!

The idea is then we link back to this linky every week, let each other know how we're getting on, and have a really productive and encouraging summer!!

So if you'd like to join in, all you've got to do is this... get your thinking caps on and come up with five goals you'd like to achieve this summer... the possibilities are endless! Then link up your #GetGoodSummer goals post next Thursday in the linky (or in the comments section if you're not a blogger) and we'll stop back every week to see how we're getting on!

Then we do the rounds weekly, cheering each other on, sharing some comment love, stealing each others ideas and inspiration, and generally having the most productive summer you've ever had...

Who's in??!

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#GetGoodSummer Linky Party: Week 9: The Finale

Drumroll please...

It's time to announce the grand finale of #GetGoodSummer. We have slogged, we have slaved, we have set ourselves challenging goals, and I think it's fair to say though we all know we could've achieved more this summer, we've perhaps made a dent in a few of those goals that have been hanging over us for a while...

So, how did you get on???

This linky today is all about sharing our successes and failures as we reflect on the summer that has been... The aim of #GetGoodSummer was to help us be intentional about these summer months that all too often slip by us... Did you manage it?? Whether or not you managed to complete all five of your goals (I didn't!), do you feel like you've had a slightly more productive summer than normal?

Share your updates in the linky, and, as always,if you aren't a blogger, post your updates in the comments!

PS - I'd love to hear your feedback on this linky... Just leave a comment below. Worth repeating next summer? Anything you think would make it more effective?? Let me know... I'm open to suggestions!

My #GetGoodSummer...

So. It is done. Finished. Over.

#GetGoodSummer has been and gone.

I'm a mixed bag of emotions... Some of my goals I completed... Others I had a good go at, and others I failed entirely!

Isn't that the nature of goal setting?!

So here goes...

#1: Do half an hour of exercise every day...

I'm pretty pleased with this one... Week eight was utterly disastrous... But aside from that, I did manage a half hour of exercise at least pretty much every day. Some days that was simply the exercise that my physio has instructed me to do, other days it was a bike ride or a fjord swim. I'm chuffed. My aim was to shift some baby weight, and I'm pleased to announce I'm back to my pre-Heidi weight. I still have a way to go before I'm back to my pre-Ava weight, but hey-ho, I'm only 6months post-pregnancy and I am partial to a piece of chocolate, slice of cake or bag of haribo (or all three!) at times... This is one goal I'm pretty happy with, even though I didn't fully meet it!

#2: Make Homemade Lemonade...

I have made buckets of it, we've loved it, and its going to be a summertime tradition in our household now!

#3: Read through Genesis to Leviticus...

Ok, I only made it through Genesis, because then I started on something else very exciting (which I'm going to reveal to you tomorrow!) but I don't actually see that as a failure. To get through all those books, I'd have had to have moved at a pretty fast pace... Instead I have wallowed in the Word and loved working my way through Iain Duguid's Genesis material (he is one of my favourite Bible Study writers). I have been challenged, and convicted, and encouraged by looking particularly at the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their wives, and the truth that God's promises are steadfast and reliable, even through the tough times, has been reinforced and cemented in my heart repeatedly... Something that we have known all to well this past year. It has been precious and valuable time and I'm so glad I didn't rush on through!

#4: Scrapbook for Heidi...

OK, I haven't even made a start on this one, mainly because my laptop's beng a total pain and not letting me upload my photos to the web until I free up some space. However, I have been working on a Summer Scrapbook for the girls that I have been updating every evening and I'm so pleased with it. Scrap booking on the job is so much easier that being faced with the huge task of documenting the first four months of your babies life (and Heidi's first four have been pretty eventful, bless her) but its a goal I intend to work on as we head into the Autumn... I'll keep you posted!

Heidi looking glum that her scrapbook is incomplete...

#5: Make three things from "All Sewn Up"

OK... I made 2 out of 3; some fabric coasters for my lovely friend Cheryl, and some country style bunting for my sister-in-law Jo... I'm happy with that. There's more I'd like to do, but I'm beginning to gear up to relaunch Homemade Hütte now that Heidi's a bit bigger and so the book may take a back seat for a while, we'll see.

All in all, I've had a fairly productive summer. I haven't met all my goals, but this linky is not about beating yourself up. The idea was to encourage us to be purposeful this summer, and I know I've done way more because of #GetGoodSummer. Trust me, I would not have been entering that icky old fjord every day if it hadn't been for all of you, so thank you.

Thanks for doing this with me... It's been fun! Perhaps we'll be back next year...

#GetGoodSummer Linky Party: Week 8

We're back... and oh my! I need to report my utter disaster FAILURE of a week! I have done nothing. Yes, that's right - nothing towards my #GetGoodSummer goals. I have done next to no exercise (unless you can count crawling across a boat in a sea storm - more on that here!), I have not done anything creative or crafty (I didn't even bake my daughter's birthday cake this year!), I haven't read much of my Bible (no excuses there)... I guess the only thing I can say is that I've taken lots of photos... so Heidi's scrapbook will have something to go in it at least.

Oh, the shame!

So, folks, I need your encouragement; your "Come on Claire... only 1 week to go!", or "You've been doing so well, don't give up now!"... something along those lines, please.

Secretly, I'm allowing myself the excuse that this week we've had two birthdays and a major family wedding; surely you gotta cut me some slack, right?!

Anyhows... hoping you've been slightly more successful than me!

So how's it going? Link up your progress in the linky party below and pop to a couple of other blogs and give them some encouragement... it really does make all the difference!

If you aren't a blogger, just post your progress in the comments section and check back later... I try to reply to all the comments made!

The epitomy of utter failure...

Over and out!

#GetGoodSummer Linky Party: Week 7

It's that time again!

Monday morning means its time to 'fess up to how this past week of your #GetGoodSummer has gone?

I've had a pretty non-eventful week! We returned from Norway on Tuesday night and its been a flurry of activity as we packed up ready to come back to the motherland (Northern Ireland) on Saturday!

One looooooooooooong car journey, a ferry ride and two sleeping girls through Dublin, and we made it! Phew!

So here's how my goal are going...

#1: Half an hour of exercise every day: Pretty good; post swim in Norway, I'm back to my physio exercises, but hoping to get some more exercise in this week!

#2: Make homemade lemonade: check!

#3: Read through Genesis-Leviticus: Genesis is read and I've just started Exodus... I'm doubtful I'll get to the end of Leviticus in the next 2 weeks, but hey... we'll see! I'm ever hopeful!

#4: Scrapbook for Heidi; Utter fail... I haven't even got the photos printed. That will be my job as SOON as I get back...

#5: Make three things from "All Sewn Up". Well, I made these cute homemade coasters, and then I made some bunting for my sister-in-law's birthday... so I've got one project still to go... hmmm...

So I'm doing OK... I could be doing better, but I could also be doing worse. And to be honest, I know for a fact, I wouldn't be doing anything if it wasn't for this linky... so, as always, thanks for making me do this!!

It's also my birthday today, so I'm thinking its OK to have had a no so productive week... right?!?

So how's it going? Link up your progress in the linky party below and pop to a couple of other blogs and give them some encouragement... it really does make all the difference!

If you aren't a blogger, just post your progress in the comments section and check back later... I try to reply to all the comments made!

#GetGoodSummer Homemade Bunting

I love bunting... I love the way it just makes a place feel homely and cottagey and cute, no matter how bland the venue... I also love the fact that it's totally easy to make, makes a great present, and knocks off one of my #GetGoodSummer goals all at once!

So here you have it: How to make easy, but lovely bunting...

Step One: Pick out some gorgeous coordinating fabric to make your bunting. I knew my sister-in-law loves red, so I decided to go for a red/cream combo... that way, it can be used for christmas too!

 Step Two: Using a self-drawn template (choose the size you want, but allow an extra half inch), draw the outline onto the back of the material for however many triangles you want. I had 12. Then pin them front sides facing.

Step Three: Using your preferred method of sewing (machine or hand) sew round the long sides of the triangles, but not along the top.

Step Four: Then turn your triangles inside out and iron!

Step Five:  Finally, fold some bias binding over the top of your triangles, spread them out and voila...

... you have beautiful bunting!

Another goal ticked on my #GetGoodSummer! Phew!

Why not give it a go??

#GetGoodSummer Linky Party: Week 6

Welcome back to #GetGoodSummer! Week 6 done and dusted… 2/3 of the way through! Eeek… but still 3 weeks to tackle those summer goals and work on those bucket lists.

We have spent the last 2 and a half weeks in Norway, and my aim, while we were here, was to tackle my first goal and do at least half an hour exercise a day!

Well, I’m glad to say I’ve done it! Phew… but not without some serious help and encouragement from Dave and my mother-in-law Magni. Dave has taken on the babysitting responsibilities every day, freeing me up to enter the icey fjord waters, and Magni, and more recently my sister-in-law Jo, have been my allies in swimming out with me. At times I’ve needed a little encouragement, and I can honestly say I would not have done it without them! There were three days out of the 17 days we have been here, that I have not gone swimming… a girls entitled to a bit of rest, right?!

My aim to read through the first few books of the Bible is also well underway, and I’ve just finished up Genesis. Now I’m heading into the book of Exodus, but I have to admit, I’m not convinced I’ll get all the way to the end of Leviticus by September 1^st. We’ll see… I’m not beaten yet! It’s been fabulous to read through the familiar territory of Genesis again. Such familiar stories, and yet I see new nuggets of golden truth every time I read it. God is faithful. He keeps his promises. He doesn’t give up on us, even when we doubt, ignore and disobey. His covenant stands. What an amazing message!

Tomorrow we head back to our homeland… a long old journey, but looking forward to tackling some more goals upon my return! I’ve been a little on the quiet side, enjoying time with family and friends, but I’ll be back with a vengeance soon enough!

So how are you getting on with your #GetGoodSummer? Link up your progress in the linky party below and pop over to some other blogs to leave a comment or two. Your comments have been so encouraging and have spurred me on to keep going when I’ve felt like giving up. Lynne, over at Sentwivlove, summed it up for me when she said she was so conscious she was going to have a rubbish blog post to write with no progress made, that she went out and got into action on her goals. This linky does work, and I’m so glad it’s helped all of us to get some focus this summer and achieve. Thank you to all of you who are linking up! I love reading all that you’re getting up to!

If you aren’t a blogger, just post your progress in the comments section and check back later… I try to reply to all the comments made!

Much love, and #GetGoodSummer

Claire x